There has long been evidence for increased lipids in the liver of chickens exposed to feed restriction, commonly used for production hens. Lipogenesis is an important part of the metabolism and storing of glucose, a source of energy. Few studies compare the difference of lipids in the liver in chickens between regular feed restriction and skip-a-day diets, despite differences in lipid content found in other organs and in overall carcass. In this study I experimentally investigate if a difference in lipid content can be found in broiler breeders exposed to two different feeding regimes, 65 % feed restriction and 5:2 skip-a-day, along with the difference between days and time points (a.m. and p.m.). I also experimentally investigate the effect on dry weights of the liver. I expected to see a difference in lipids of the liver, with an increase found in skip-a-day birds. However, a difference could only be observed in the dry weights of the livers in birds exposed to skip-a-day feeding. Although there was no significant change in lipids, there is a pattern for increase in lipids in skip-a-day birds. Therefore, the conclusion can be drawn that an increase in lipogenesis caused by skip-a-day diet exists but it was not big enough to cause a significant difference in lipid content. For the dry weights of the livers, we can suspect lipids and glycogen as the reason for the increased weight but to determine exactly how these two components affect the skip-a-day birds’ further inquiry is needed.

Thesis (M.A. (Agricultural Extension)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The aim of the study was to analyse the socio-economic factors affecting the gross margin of small-scale broiler producers in the Vhembe district and thereby determine their profitability and contribution towards the local economic development. The population comprised of small-scale broiler producers who reared between100 and 3200 birds in the Vhembe district. A total of 94 out of 311small-scale broiler producers were selected using a simple random- sampling procedure. Data on different socio-economic parameters was collected through personal interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was computed using FREQ COUNTS procedures to describe the characteristics of small-scale broiler producers. Gross margin analysis was used to calculate the profitability for small-scale broiler producers. The Multiple Linear Regression was used to estimate the influence of socio-economic factors influence on the gross margin of the small-scale broiler producers. Multiple Regression analysis indicated that small-scale broiler producers in the Vhembe district were making profit. Socio-economic variables such as age of the farmer, farming experience, flock size, training received by the farmer, market access and record keeping, educational level, household income and extension services were found to have positive correlation with the small-scale broiler producers‟ gross margin. To effectively address production constraints affecting gross margin of small-scale broiler producers, it is, therefore, fundamental to consider their socio-economic profiles.

This master´s thesis is focused on the design of a database for small breeders, for whom it makes no sense to use large enterprise solutions. In this thesis I will focus on the analysis of the needs of those individuals and on the design of a database that will satisfy their needs with minimal financial requirements.

Boran cattle provide livelihood to thousands of households in the arid and semi arid lands of Kenya. The Kenya Boran cattle breeders’ society (KBCBS) is actively involved in the improvement of the breed. Due to their superior adaptive and productive traits in comparison to other indigenous breeds of cattle, they have also become a popular choice for breeders in Eastern and Southern Africa. Their continued genetic improvement through progeny and performance testing is critical and accurate pedigree records are paramount. Pedigree records of four stud herds were evaluated for accuracy using 11 microsatellite markers on 178 samples. The microsatellite markers had a combined probability of exclusion (CPE) of 0.9997. The dam misidentification rate was 0 to 5% and that of the sires ranged from 4.3 to 80% between the four stud herds. 4,456 Boran pedigree records from Kenya stud book for the four participating stud herds were analysed for inbreeding. The average generation interval was 6.8 years and the estimated inbreeding coefficient was unexpectedly low (0.0023), probably due to incomplete records. The high rate of mispaternity will lead to low response to selection and increased inbreeding. The use of DNA markers for parentage assignment will improve the accuracy of the pedigree records. This will enhance the accuracy of selection, increase the rate of genetic gain and improve effective monitoring of inbreeding. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

The production environment is known to have a large influence on extensively managed beef cows. A better understanding of the relationship between the beef cow and her environment should be useful in the pursuit of improving beef cow efficiency. The influence of the production environment on the efficiency of extensively managed Bonsmara cows was investigated through a series of research objectives. It was found that VEGMAP’s bioregion classification system can be used to describe the South African beef production regions. The environmental characteristics with the potential to influence beef cow efficiency were identified as temperature, rainfall, cation exchange capacity, soil pH, soil organic carbon, soil P and grazing capacity. A dataset was created that contains the historical cow production records for every Bonsmara breeder. GIS tools were then used to link the cow production records with the production region in which the farm is located, as well as the environmental characteristics for that specific location. The combined dataset was then statistically analysed to investigate the research objectives. The influence of the geographic location, production region and breeder on Bonsmara production traits was investigated by cluster analysis and ANOVA. Results from ANOVA indicate that production region has a statistically significant (p < 0.05) influence on production traits. The influence of the breeders on the same production traits was, however, statistically much larger (p < 0.0001) than production region. Bonsmara production traits are therefore influenced to a greater extent by the breeders rather than production environment. Stepwise regression analysis was used to determine the influence of the combined environment on production traits. The combined environment has a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) influence on all the production traits. The results indicate that the extent of the influence of the environment on production change through the growth curve. The environment’s influence was the greatest at weaning (9%) and yearling age (10%). Bonsmara weaning and yearling weights therefore show the largest potential for manipulation through management. The influence of individual environmental characteristics on all the Bonsmara cow production traits was then investigated by the same stepwise regression analysis. Most of the environmental characteristics were found to have a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) influence on the production traits. Rainfall and temperature had the largest influence on Bonsmara production traits. The negative influence of rainfall was attributed to the influence of rainfall on the quality of the grazing. The influence of temperature on production traits was small. The small negative influence of temperature could indicate that Bonsmara cows are well adapted to the main South African beef production regions. Finally, the relationship between Bonsmara cow size and reproduction was investigated by linear regression analysis. Results indicate that larger Bonsmara cows are to some extent more reproductive than smaller cows. The study confirmed that production environment influences beef cow efficiency. Bonsmara breeders however have a much larger influence on the efficiency of their cows through the implementation of management practices and breeding objectives. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

No description available.

The thesis deals with the research motivation organized children and youth for breeding in the Czech Republic. The theoretical part describes aspects and effects of pet supplies such as leisure activities. Specific educational aspects of breeding activities in personal development. It also describes the issues and going through breeding for the protection of animals and nature. The practical part includes the preparation and implementation of research organized by the motivation of children and young people from different breeders' organizations operating in the country. It details and comments on the results of the research and is divided according to other criteria. Represents Czech Breeders Association as a volunteer non-profit organization working with children and youth organizing prestigious international competition for young breeders Olympics.

Quatro experimentos foram conduzidos com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da forma física da ração pré-inicial no desempenho e na alometria de órgãos do sistema digestório de frangos de corte, provenientes de ovos de pesos semelhantes ou distintos, produzidos por matrizes Ross de idades diferentes. Foram utilizados 2.340 ovos para os experimentos 1 e 2 e 2.160 ovos para os experimentos 3 e 4. A composição percentual dos ovos foi avaliada. Os experimentos 1 e 2, assim como os experimentos 3 e 4, ocorreram simultaneamente. O experimento 1 contou com 1.380 pintos de um dia, machos e fêmeas sexados, provenientes de ovos com peso médio de 57,8 g ou 68,8 g, de matrizes com, respectivamente, 29 e 55 semanas. O experimento 3 contou com 1.380 aves provenientes de matrizes com 29 e 55 semanas de idade, sendo o peso médio dos ovos padronizado em aproximadamente 62 g. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos e cinco repetições, em esquema fatorial 2x3 (idade da matriz x forma física da ração pré-inicial). Na fase pré-inicial, a forma física da ração foi diferenciada em farelada, triturada e micro-peletizada, com fornecimento fixado em 200 g/ave. Do término da fase pré-inicial até os 42 dias de idade, foi fornecida uma ração comum farelada, para todos os tratamentos. Os parâmetros de desempenho avaliados nos experimentos 1 e 3 foram: ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e viabilidade criatória. O tempo utilizado para o consumo total da ração pré-inicial foi monitorado. Para a avaliação da alometria de órgãos (intestinos delgado e grosso, fígado, pâncreas, proventrículo, moela e saco vitelino), foram utilizados em cada experimento (2 e 4), 240 pintos de um dia, machos e fêmeas sexados, nos mesmos tratamentos adotados nos experimentos 1 (pesos distintos) e 3 (pesos semelhantes). Foram sacrificadas seis aves provenientes de cada idade de matriz ao alojamento e quatro aves por tratamento nos dias três, cinco, sete, 14 e 21, sendo cada ave considerada uma unidade experimental. A gema de ovos provenientes de matrizes adultas foi maior mesmo quando estes apresentavam pesos semelhantes aos de matrizes jovens. Em ambos os experimentos de desempenho, melhores resultados foram obtidos pelos frangos provenientes de matrizes de 55 semanas de idade, bem como, por aqueles que consumiram rações pré-iniciais processadas. As aves levaram menos tempo para consumir 200 g de rações processadas do que farelada. Ao alojamento, moela, proventrículo, fígado e intestino delgado foram mais pesados para as aves oriundas de matrizes adultas, quando estas apresentavam pesos iniciais superiores aos das aves de matrizes jovens. O desenvolvimento do pâncreas, intestino delgado, fígado e proventrículo na primeira semana de vida foi superior ao crescimento corpóreo das aves, independente da idade da matriz. Conclui-se que o peso do ovo influencia o peso do pinto à eclosão, porém, é a idade da matriz que atua sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte. Além disso, o consumo de dietas processadas na fase pré-inicial favorece o desempenho dos frangos até os 42 dias de idade. / Four trials were conducted to evaluate the physical form of pre-starter diets on performance and allometric growth of gastrointestinal organs of chickens from eggs having the same or different weights, hatched from Ross breeders of different ages. In trails1 and 2, 2,340 eggs were incubated and in trails 3 and 4, 2,160. The eggs percentage composition was evaluated. Trials 1 and 2, as well as trials 3 and 4, were carried out simultaneously. After hatching, 1,380 day-old chicks, males and females, from young breeders (29 weeks) or adult breeders (55 weeks) were used in performance experiments: in experiment 1 the eggs weighted 57,8 g or 68,8 g, respectively, and in experiment 3, egg weight was standardized at 62 g. The performance trials were conducted in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 5 replicates, and the treatments consisted of a 2 3 factorial arrangement of breeder age (young and adult) and physical form of the pre-starter feed (mash, crumbled or micro-pellets). This feed was provided at a fixed amount of 200 g per chick and, after that, the birds in all treatments were fed a common starter, grower and finisher diet in mash form, to 42 days of age. Live weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and viability were evaluated on a pen basis. The time required for total consumption of the pre-starter feeds was monitored. To evaluate the allometric growth of gastrointestinal organs (small and large intestines, liver, pancreas, proventriculus, gizzard and yolk sac), in experiments 2 and 4, 240 one-day-chicks, males and females, were distributed to six pens with the same treatments as experiments 1 and 3, respectively. Six chicks from each breeder age on the first day and four chicks at ages three, five, seven, 14 and 21 days were sacrificed. The experimental unit was each chick. The yolk from adult breeder eggs was heavier, even when the eggs had similar weight of those from young breeders. In both performance trials, better results were obtained for chickens from adult breeders, as well as, for chickens fed processed pre-starter diets. The chickens consumed 200 g of processed diets faster than the mash diet. On the first day, gizzard, proventriculus, liver and small intestine were heavier in chicks from adult breeders than in chicks from young breeders, when the former presented heavier initial weight. Pancreas, small intestine, liver and proventriculus development was superior to body growth, independent of breeder age. It is concluded that egg weight influences the chick weight at hatching, however, breeder age affects the overall performance of the chickens. Furthermore, processed feeds benefit the chicks in the pre-starter phase and this benefit is maintained in the broilers to market weight.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estimar a variabilidade genética existente entre touros e linhagens da raça Nelore, essas representadas pelos grandes genearcas, no que se refere à qualidade de carcaça e de carne. Os animais utilizados para coleta de dados de carcaça e carne pertenciam ao projeto de melhoramento genético e de avaliação para emissão de CEIP - Certificado Especial de Identificação e Produção, da Agro-Pecuária CFM-Ltda, e tinham idade entre 21 e 28 meses. Foram analisadas as características peso de carcaça quente (PCQ), área de olho de lombo (AOL), espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGS) e marmoreio (MAR). A qualidade de carne foi avaliada para os períodos de 7, 14 e 21 dias de maturação, quanto às perdas por exsudação (PE), perdas por cozimento (PC) e maciez (MAC). A avaliação da variabilidade genética entre linhagens foi efetuada com base em valores das diferenças esperadas na progênie (DEP) para as características PCQ, AOL, EGS, MAR e MAC aos 7, 14 e 21 dias de maturação. Foi encontrada variabilidade entre os touros e as linhagens estudadas sugerindo que um progresso genético pode ser conseguido pela seleção de animais para características de carcaça e carne dentro da raça Nelore. / The present study had as objective to estimate the genetic variability between steers and breed lines of Nellore, these represented by the greatest breeders, referred to carcass and beef quality. The animals used to collect the samples of carcass and beef belonged to the project of genetic improvement and evaluation to emission of CEIP-Special Certificate of Identification and Production of CFM Farm-Ltda. The animals had age between 21 and 28 months. Were analyzed the characteristics of hot carcass weight (PCQ), rib eye area (AOL), backfat thickness (EGS), marbling (MAR).The beef quality was evaluated for the periods of 7, 14 and 21 days of ageing, as reference the drip loss (PE), cooking loss (PC) and tenderness (MAC). The evaluation of the genetic variability between the breed lines was done based in the values of the expected progeny differences (DEP) of the characteristics of PCQ, AOL, EGS, MAR and MAC at days 7, 14 and 21 of ageing. There was found a variability between steers and the breed lines studied, suggesting that a genetic process may be possible by selecting the animals to carcass and beef characteristics in the Nellore breed.

Esta tese objetiva investigar a gestão local e as características significativas do desenvolvimento rural em comunidades de pecuaristas familiares nos municípios de São Jerônimo, Butiá e arredores, região Centro Sul do RS. Nesta tese, as dinâmicas do desenvolvimento rural na pecuária familiar são compreendidas como movimentos de transição ou contracorrente à marcha de consolidação e aprofundamento da agricultura convencional assentada em parâmetros do paradigma técnico-científico moderno. Na realidade estudada os pecuaristas familiares foram elevados da posição de marginalizados e periféricos à condição de segmento central na rede rural de desenvolvimento, reavaliados pela sua importância social, ambiental e econômica na relação que estabelecem com a sociedade local e regional, e com os ecossistemas campestres riograndenses, atualmente fortemente impactados por processos de degradação. Entendendo o DR como um movimento transicional e contracorrente esta tese utiliza componentes analítico-metodológicos fornecidos pela Perspectiva Multinível-PMN, em especial a ferramenta Gestão Estratégica de Nicho-GEN, e os elementos para pensar o desenvolvimento rural contemporâneo, tais como o seu caráter multinível, a noção de rede rural multidimensional, a multifuncionalidade da agricultura e o papel dos agricultores camponeses. Os procedimentos metodológicos são realizados através de revisão bibliográfica, coleta de dados secundários, entrevistas semi-estruturadas com informantes-chave e observação participante da paisagem rural, unidades produtivas, e das práticas e trajetórias, incluindo registro fotográfico. O referencial teórico utilizado fornece aportes para tratar a experiência local na perspectiva de uma dinâmica de DR que ocorre no nível micro, metodologicamente definida como um espaço protegido de desenvolvimento da pecuária familiar, posicionada sob condicionantes estruturais mais amplos e influentes compostos pelos regimes sociotécnicos prevalentes e paisagens sociotécnicas. Apesar da consolidação e maior estruturação dos níveis elevados, existe interdependência e mutua interação entre o que acontece nos níveis micro e macro. Quanto à gestão identificam-se três alinhamentos principais na rede rural: infraestrutura e qualidade de vida; melhoria genética dos animais e do manejo do campo e dos rebanhos; e agregação de valor e governabilidade dos mercados. Avalia-se que apesar dos alinhamentos notáveis existem dissensos e incongruências. Mesmo nos alinhamentos de estratégias e expectativas mais vigorosos que ocorrem em melhoramento genéticos dos ovinos e bovinos; criação de novos mercados; e na percepção do campo nativo como um recurso valioso, produtivo e barato, acontecem incongruências importantes. As transformações mais marcantes do DR são identificadas como: novidades; práticas e trajetórias em governabilidade dos mercados; aspectos atinentes à sustentabilidade e endogeneidade; e questões relativas à dimensão social da rede rural. Nesta tese, os agricultores familiares que se dedicam à pecuária são avaliados como capazes de conciliar de maneira proveitosa a conservação e o uso sustentável dos recursos forrageiros nativos, enfatizando o caráter multifuncional dos seus estilos de agricultura baseados, primordialmente, em recursos da natureza, em co-produção e co-evolução. Apesar desta destacada característica positiva, deficiências em capacitação, práticas de manejo e intensificação no emprego de alguns insumos exógenos industriais modernos impedem que estes impactos positivos sejam mais fortes sobre o ambiente e sociedade. No final, são tecidas considerações sobre possíveis estratégias e políticas públicas para o aprimoramento da experiência local, as quais se esperam possam servir também em outros casos e situações. / This thesis aims to investigate local management and significant features of rural development in family beef cattle breeders’ communities in the municipalities of São Jerônimo, Butiá and surroundings, Central South region of RS. In this thesis, the dynamics of rural development in the family livestock are understood as transitional or counter-current movements to the consolidation and deepening of conventional agriculture seated on parameters of the modern technical-scientific paradigm. In the studied reality, family beef cattle breeders were elevated from a marginalized and peripheral position to a central segment condition in the rural development web, reassessed for their social, environmental and economic importance in the relationship they establish with the local and regional society and native grassland ecosystems of the Rio Grande do Sul State, currently heavily impacted by degradation processes. Understanding RD as a transitional or counter-current movement this thesis uses analytical and methodological components provided by Multilevel Perspective, particularly the Strategic Management Niche, and the elements to think contemporary rural development, such as its multilevel character, the notion of multidimensional rural web, multifunctional agriculture and role of peasant farmers. Methodological procedures are performed through literature review, secondary data collection, semi-structured interviews to key informants and participant observation of countrysides, farms, and practices and trajectories. The theoretical framework utilized provides contributions to treat local experience in a dynamic perspective of RD occurring at the micro level, methodologically defined as a development niche of family farming, positioned under broader and more influential structural constraints, such as prevalent socio-technical regimes and socio-technical landscape. Despite the consolidation and greater structuring of the higher levels, there is interdependence and mutual interaction between what happens at micro and macro levels. Related to management there are three major alignments in the rural web: infrastructure and quality of life; genetic improvement of livestock and of natural grassland and domestic flocks management; the adding value and governability of markets. It’s considered that even though the notable alignments there are disagreements and inconsistencies as well. Even in the alignments most vigorous strategies and expectations, such as genetic improvement of sheep and cattle; creation of new markets, and in perception of natural pasture as valuable, productive and cheap resource, there are important inconsistencies. The most striking changes of RD are identified as: novelties; governability of markets; aspects referent to sustainability and endogeneity; and issues relating to social dimension of rural web. In this thesis, family farmers dedicated to livestock are assessed as able to reconcile profitably conservation and sustainable use of natural forage resource, emphasizing the multifunctionality of their farming styles based primarily on natural resources, on co-production and co-evolution. Despite this remarkable positive feature, deficiencies in training, management practices, and increased use of some modern industrial exogenous inputs prevent these positive impacts to be stronger on the environment and society. In the end, considerations are made about possible strategies and public policies for the improvement of local experience, which are expected to be also used in other cases and situations.